Greater exchange of information with the Czech Republic on nuclear issues

Prague, 20 December 2007 - Today the Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg and the Austrian Ambassador in the Czech Republic, Dr. Margot Klestil-Löffler signed the protocol amending the agreement to regulate matters of common interest in relation to nuclear safety and radiation protection.

As a result of the amendment to the agreement, both states are obliged to extend their exchange of information on issues of radiation protection and nuclear safety to a level expected to set new standards. In view of nuclear safety, the amended agreement provides a framework for a high level of cross-border information exchange.

The amended agreement provides for a considerably more comprehensive information obligation in the future with regard to major changes to nuclear facilities, including the construction and closure of nuclear power plants. Moreover, the amendment creates a legal basis for comprehensive consultations on individual cases. With the amended agreement, Austria and the Czech Republic provide a significantly higher level of security for their population, and are convinced that this will give their high-ranking cooperation a new legal framework in the area of information exchange.